مجموعة ٥/٧٣ "سلاح الجو الأفغاني: تقارير" [ظ‎‎١‎٠‎٨] (٤٣١/٢١٦)

1* (cont,d).
„ 2 t ,
(tg) Tne forced landing of a Britisn aircraft in tae Eastern
Province on 30th June caused no reactions amongst Afghan Air Force
personnel, but officers have shown some curiosity regarding the type
of aircraft which force landed, and in the identity of the pilot and
observer . , ; They also appear to be interested in the method to be ^
adopted for the disposal of the aircraft and the pilot and observer.
Oh)_ • Appendix M A n to this report gives the number and condition
of‘aircraft, and the number of trained or partly trained pilots in the
Afghan Air Force on 31st July, 1943.
2. Hind Squadrons ■; •
(a) Flying Hours ....
Owing to a desire to conserve petrol the increased periods authorised
for flying training in March and April this year were reduced from 8 hours
I to 2 hours per pilot per-; month. Each pilot is now limited to one short
flight of 25 to 30 minutes, duration per week.
(b) Operations - Nil.
(o) Standard of Flying Efficiency " . '
There' has been an improvement during the quarter. This is due to a
greater variety of training, the increase in the time allotted for flying
practice, and the introduction of equipment by the British pilot instructor
which, tnough in the possession of the-Afghan Air Foice, nad not previously
been used by Afgnan pilots.
(d) Accidents
(i) On 28th June an Afghan pilot stalled a Hind aircraft 10 feet off
the ground and it crash-landed on the Sherpur airfield. It is estim
ated that it will take three months to lepair the damage done to this
aircraft. -
(ii) On 3rd July a Hind aircraft landed off the airfield at Khwaja
Rawash and ran into an irrigation channel. The Afghan pilot was
slightly injured. Considerable damage was done to the aircraft,
and repairs will take about one year to complete. Certain spares
•required for the repair of this aircraft are not available in Kabul,
but are on order from India or England.
(e) ^/laintenance
(i) There has been an improvement in the Hind spares position, but
metal piping for the repair of the fusilage of Hind aircraft is
urgently required. There are 5 Hind aircraft undergoing repairs in
the workshops at present.
»(ii) There have been a few cases of engine failure during the quarter
? due to tne absence of a British mecnanic instructor, and the careless-
! ness of Afgnan personnel in regard to the care and maintenance of
engines. Mr. Robinson, Messrs Rolls Royce mecnanic instructor, left
Kabul in March and nis relief, Mr. H. Pejrson, has not yet arrived
from England. In order to ensure that aircraft engines are kept in
good order ? supervision of tne workshops by a British mechanic appears
, essential.
(iii) Mr. J Bradley, Messrs Hawkers instructor attached to the Air
Force, returned from Karachi m May after having attended a course in
welding under tne auspices of the R.A.F. He has not -so far been
asked to train Afghan personnel in welding, but has repaired tne
fusilages of two Romeo aircraft.
(f) Photographic Sectio n
No interest has been taken in this section,, and officers of the
section are now employed on administrative duties. Owing to lack of money
and an efficient instructor, the activities of the section are likely to
be confined to the check and cleaning, of equipment on charge.
2. (contd).. (g)»«*